MNS False Bottom Specimen Transport Tube

ABSTRACT

Solid color bottom section, will allow for color coding: Red=serum, green=Li plasma, purple=EDTA plasma

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Appl. No.: U.S. 62/819,654 Filed: Mar. 17, 2019 CPC: A61J 1/1425; B01L 3/14 Field of Search: A61J: 1/1412, 1/1418, 1/1425, 1/1431; B01L 3/14; “test tube”.

BACKGROUND

Laboratories often receive biological samples, including serum and plasma, couriered to them from other specimen collection sites. In these cases, the whole blood samples collected at the originating site must be centrifuged, allowing for the separation of the serum/plasma from the red blood cells. The serum/plasma is then removed from the primary collection container and transferred into a specimen transport tube. The specimen is then transported to the testing laboratory. For laboratories that utilize a laboratory automation system, it is essential that the transport tube is compatible with the automation system to ensure efficiency in specimen processing, positive specimen identification, and limitation of potential biological exposure to staff. If the specimen transport tube is not compatible with the automation line, it requires the technologist to revert back to manually processing the specimen, in which case they often have to transfer the specimen into a compatible automation tube. There is also a need for the specimen transport tube to mimic a primary specimen collection tube, to ensure no interruptions in workflow, including creating an imbalance in the centrifuge. This is often accomplished by creating a false bottom, i.e. weighted bottom, which mimics the red blood cell clot in a primary collection container in weight. The transport tube must also allow for the accurate and reliable measurement of specimen in the container by the automation lines sample level detector. Sample level detectors that utilize both visible and infrared light to determine the sample volume in the tube, cannot accurately measure the specimen volume in a typical false bottom transport tube, due to the limitations of the design of the transport tubes on the market today.

SUMMARY

The described invention meets all of the essential requirements for a specimen transport tube that is fully compatible with a laboratory automation system utilizing sample level detectors that utilize both visible and infrared light, centrifuges, and analyzers that accept 13 mm×100 mm specimen tubes. The tube body consist of two sections, a top (FIG. 1), and a bottom (FIG. 2). The top section is utilized to hold the biological specimen and is made out of medical grade plastic, or the like. The interior floor of the top section forms a conical shape, allowing for micro sampling without the worry of crashing analyzer sample probes. The conical floor also prevents automated aliquoter tips from becoming lodged when aspirating short samples. It has graduated markings at 0.5 ml intervals, starting from the interior floor to the top. The bottom of the top section, below the conical interior bottom, is open with internal ridges to allow for a secure attachment to the bottom section. The top of the bottom section has external ridges to ensure a secure attachment to the interior of the top section. The bottom section is weighted to achieve a total weight equivalent to that of a clot from a primary specimen collection tube. To achieve the desired weight, the density off the material utilized is amended with an additive, and colored with dye, to ensure that plastic is not translucent. Visible and infrared light sources, utilized in sample level detectors, are not able to penetrate this plastic to reach the light sensor,

DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a preferred version of the top section of the proposed invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a preferred version of the bottom section of the proposed invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a biological specimen false bottom transport tube that is compatible with laboratory automation systems employing sample level detectors that utilize both visible and infrared light for the determination of sample volume based on the unique spectral properties of serum/plasma, and red blood cells. Since serum/plasma is water based, the absorption characteristics are essentially equivalent to that of water, where red blood cells are significantly opaque to visible light. This allows for the detection of the interface between the serum/plasma and the red blood cell. Both serum/plasma and red blood cells totally absorb infrared light, and therefore the interface between the air and the serum/plasma is only determined by the infrared light. Through the combination of both visible and infrared light, the difference in absorption characteristics allows for the accurate determination of the serum/plasma sample. The describe invention is constructed of a material that is transparent to both visible and infrared light for the top section (FIG. 1), while the bottom section (FIG. 2) is completely opaque to both visible and infrared light. The material is typically, but not necessarily, a soda lime, borosilicate, or Pyrex® glass or a polypropylene, polymethylpentene, polycarbonate, etc. Plastic. The difference in the materials absorption characteristics allows for the accurate determination of sample volume with sample level detectors using both visible and infrared light. Referring to FIG. 2, bottom section, the material used may be amended with additional additives to achieve the desired weight. The entire weight of both the top section (FIG. 1) and the bottom section (FIG. 2), along with the specimen cap, will mimic the weight of a primary specimen collection container. The proposed invention will therefore be able to be seamlessly added into normal laboratory workflow, without creating any unbalances during the centrifugation process.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail, with reference to preferred version thereof, other versions are possible based on various manufacturing options. For example, the bottom section (FIG. 2) may have a dye or coloring added during the manufacturing process to indicate what type of sample is being sent. Commonly utilized color coding of specimen collection tubes are listed:

Color: Additive in the Specimen: Red SST/Serum Green PST/Heparin Plasma Purple EDTA Plasma Blue/White Citrate Plasma

The present invention may also use the above coding, or still other color coding may be used. It should be noted that “color” is intended to refer broadly to visually distinguishable characteristics, and includes not only the specific colors of the light spectrum but also such colors with textures and/or designs in the appearance. Graduation markings may be added during the manufacturing process at specific intervals to allow for accurate estimation of sample volume. Each feature disclosed in the specification, include the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A biological specimen false bottom transport tube having a vertical axis and containing at least one layer of serum, plasma, or the like, allowing for the detection of the location of the interface using a sample level detector utilizing visible and infrared light beams, containing the following design features: a. A false bottom that is composed of material(s) that makes it completely opaque to both visible and infrared light. b. A specimen transport container composed of material(s) that makes it completely transparent to both visible and infrared light.
 2. A biological specimen false bottom transport tube, containing a false bottom that is weighted to mimic the average weight of a red blood cell clot from a 13 mm×100 mm primary specimen collection tube, or a specific desired weight.
 3. A conical floor to the specimen transport container, allowing micro sampling and preventing aliquot tips from becoming lodged. 